Homeland Security's latest non-lethal weapon: the pukelight

Someone in Homeland Security's R&D department must have a sense of humor, because the agency is hoping to soon deploy an LED flashlight that causes uncontrollable vomiting. The light, which is being developed for DHS at Intelligent Optical Systems, first shines a high-intensity beam to stun the target and then begins flashing a series of pulses that change color and duration -- inducing "psychophysical" effects that that include nausea, vertigo, and vomiting. While the concept isn't that far-fetched -- similar symptoms have been seen in helicopter pilots affected by sunlight strobing through spinning blades -- you've got to wonder how many thousands of dollars have been spent developing a weapon that can be defeated by simply looking away.

[Via ABC News]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2007 6:57AM]

These "non-lethals" are used to turn citizens into subjects. Rubber bullets are rubber encased steel bullets that can kill. They like non-lethals because then they can use them.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 15th 2007 4:26AM]

This weapon Rocks. Think about it, instead of beaming protesters they can actually make them puke. Though this is dangerous in the wrong hand, cause if the other side get it, military speeding may go even higher cause soldiers losing their lunches.